Executive Chef Donnie Ferneau is a critically acclaimed and nationally recognized award-winning chef. He attended culinary school at Kirkwood Culinary Academy, then apprenticed under Philippe Forcioli, the former executive chef of the Orient Express. Donnie apprenticed throughout the Midwest before heading to Arkansas where he worked under several well-known chefs in Little Rock before venturing out on his own with Ferneau in the Hillcrest neighborhood. His last venture was Good Food by Ferneau, where Donnie created healthy food options [and the best fried chicken in the city] for some of Arkansas’ largest corporations, medical facilities and health clubs to promote healthy eating without sacrificing flavor or culinary creativity. Currently, Donnie is chef/co-owner of Cathead’s Diner in Little Rock, AR, which serves up southern breakfast, brunch and lunch – far from the healthy fair of restaurants past. Among Donnie’s numerous awards and accolades include: named one of the top 1% Best Chefs in America, The Formica and Ben E. Keith Culinary Community Service Award, Adjunct Teacher of the Year at Pulaski Tech, Chef of the Year for The American Culinary Federation, Diamond Chef Arkansas, Best Chef in Arkansas and recently was named to Best Chefs in America, Southern Region. Donnie has also had the pleasure of cooking for some of America’s most influential celebrities including, President Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and Mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg, among many others. Three Years in a row Donnie was invited back to “Taste of the Nation” for the Democratic Governors Association where he cooked for the Nations Democratic Governors. In October of 2015, Donnie competed and was featured in the Food Network’s show, BBQ Blitz, while in August of 2017 he starred and made it to the final four teams on the Great Good Truck Race Season 8. He has also been featured in national cook books, and magazines such as Wine Spectator. Outside of the kitchen Donnie is involved with many local charities and is especially passionate about causes that benefit children, including Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, where he marched Capitol Hill to fight for breakfast in the classrooms in Arkansas, and rode 300 miles on a road bike to help raise money for hungry children across America. Recently, Donnie worked with Memory Care America helping to utilize food as medicine for Alzheimer’s patients throughout the country. Essentially he has been assisting in a groundbreaking medical research that can help stop the progression of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. In October 2015, Donnie was invited back a second time to Eva Longoria’s Celebrity Gala and Poker Tournament, benefitting Eva’s Heroes Foundation for children and young adults with mental disabilities, as the Guest Celebrity Chef. Donnie enjoys fitness, going to the shooting range, off-roading, climbing Pinnacle Mountain and taking his dog, Cash, to the dog park or rides in the Jeep. He also enjoys a great burger and beer from time to time!
